Traversing hoist



y 1946- w. P. LEAR TRAVERSING' HOIST Filed Oct. 19, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEVTOR. W/ZlM/V P. 154/? ATTORNEY July 2, 1946.

w. P. LEAR 4'TRAVERSING HOIST Filed Oct. 19, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet z ATTORNEY UNIT STAT Patented July 2, 1946 TRAVERSING HOIST William P. Lear, North Hollywood, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Lear, Incorporated, Grand Rapids, Mich., a corporation of Illinois Application October 19, 1943, Serial No. 506,797

'16 Claims.

This invention relates to a traversing hoist which may be either power or manual driven, incorporating a novel torque limiting arrangement, and particularly suitablefor use in cargo airplanes. With the widespread increase in the useof aircraft as cargo carriers, there has come a demand for a cargo handling unit which is compact,

. 2 I Fig. 8 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating a control circuit forming part of the invention.

light in weight, adapted for either manual or power actuation, and included protective features.

' Due to the rather-confined space in cargo planes,

such mechanism must be easily manipulated and adapted to be controlled from any one of several points.

It is therefore among the objects of this invention to provide a traversing hoist which may be either power or manual driven; to provide such a hoist including ,means for limiting the load handled thereby to a safe value; to provide such a hoist including a hoisting drum and a traversing drum and selectively operable mechanism for connecting the two drums for actuation as a unit; to provide such a hoist including means for limiting the rate of lowering the load to a safe value;

to provide such a hoist including control means with. w s

Fig. 2 is a schematic elevation view partly in section, illustrating the hoisting and traversing drums and the control arrangements associated therewith.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a coupling device for connecting the hoisting and traversing drums together for traversing the'load.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal view through a modified I form of the coupling device shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view through a torque limiting, speed governing, and manual drive unit embodied in the invention.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5. v f

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 5.

In the draw- Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a novel control unit eflective to control the operation of the mechanism from any one'of a number of given points.

Referring to Fig. 1, the traversing hoist of the invention comprise a hoisting drum II and a traversing drum I5 in operative relationship with a traversing device, such as a trolley 20. Drums Iii and lifare independently rotatably mounted on a. shaft ll supported in bearings l2, l3." Trolley 20 operates along a rail l4 extending between supports diagrammatically illustrated at ii and I1, and includes a triangular frame structure it on which are mounted trolley wheels is, is and I 1 a pulley 2|. A hoisting cable 22 is secured at one end to the grooved hoisting drum III, passes over the pulley 2 I, through a pulley 2: associated with a, hoisting device such as a hook 25, and is fastened at its opposite end to trolley frame ll.

'An' endless traversing cable 24 has one or more turns wrapped around grooved hoisting drum l5. At its other end, cable 24 passes around a'pulley 26 secured by a tcnsioning device such as a spring 2-1 to asupportschematically illustrated at 2!. Adjacent drum l5, cable 24 passes over a pulley 29.

With the described arrangement, if hoisting drum i5 is held stationary, rotation of drum III will either wind up or pay out cable 22, thus raising or lowering hoisting device or hook 25.- When it is desired to traverse the load along the rail [4, drums l0 and I5 are coupled together. Under such circumstance, cable 22 will be payed out at the same rate as cable 24 is moved in one dimetion; and will be drawn in at the same rate as cable 24 is moved in the opposite direction. Ac-

cordingly, hoisting device will remain in a predetermined position relative to trolley 20.

The driving arrangements for drums i0 and ii are illustrated in perspective in Fig. l and in schematic elevation in Fig. 2. As shown, an electric motor 30 is adapted to be coupled to a main Y drive shaft 3| through an electromagnetic clutch and brake unit and a torque limiting and speedcontroliing unit 40. Unit includes means providing for manual actuation of the mechanism by I a device such as a crank 32 shown in broken lines. Shaft 3i is provided with a pinion 33 meshing with a spur, gear 34 which drives another spur gear 36 through a pinion 31. .Spur gear 38 is provided with a pinion 38 engaging an internal 'ringgearll formedarounritheinnersideofdrum i I adjacent one of a locked against rotation.

rotatably supporting drumI0 on shaft II. Similarly, drum I is actuated through the medium of a shaft 42 mounted at one end in .a coupling device 45 and at the other end in a bearing 4:.

Shaft 42 isprovided with aipinion u engaging a spur gear driving a spur gear 41 through a pinion'48. Spur gear 41 is provided with a pinion 5I engaging an i-nternalring gear 52 on the formed integrally with clutchm'ember 8 I Manual operation is provided by means of a lever-r82 maybe the same as that described and claimed in my Patent No. 2,267,114 issued December 23,

With the described arrangement, when motor' :30 is energized, clutch 35 connects themotor to ing unit 40, motor 30 drives shaft 3| to operate 1941, entitled Electromagnetic clutch." As

" shown, it comprises a driving disk of magnetic drum I0 to either pay out or draw in cable..22'. Operation of drum I5 at the same time is de-.

Conductors 50 are provided forenergizing moter 30 and clutch 35 and conductors 59 and 89 material keyed to the motor armature shaft 18 and a driven disk 11 of magnetic material which is-normally urged by a spring 18 into engagepatenty'A magnetizing winding 8| is provided are provided to connect unit 40 in circuit with,

the other elements of the hoist.

Coupling device 45 is shown more fully in Fig. 3. As illustrated, it comprises a housing 53 in one end wall of which are mounted bearings 54 supporting shaft 3|. The inner end of shaft 3I is provided with a pinion 55. Similarly, shaft 42 extends through'a bearing 58 into the interior of housing 53. Bearing 58 is formed as a pinion integralwith the rightv end wall of housing 53, and has a diameter equal to that of pinion '85. The inner end of shaft 42 is provided with a pinion 51' equalin diameter to pinion 55 andto pinion orloking member 56. An annular recess 58 is formed around the inner periphery of hopsing 53 to receive amagnetizing winding 80 energized through conductors 63. A clutch member SI of magnetic material is provided with internal teeth having constant meshing engagement with pinion 51. Depending upon its position, clutch 6| will also be in engagement with either pinion 55 or locking member 58. As shown, it is in engagement with lockingmember 56 and therefore shaft 42 is disconnected from shaft 3| and-is Drum I5, in the position shown in Fig. 3, is thus held stationary. Upon energization of winding 80, clutch member BI is drawn to the left until it is substantially centralized with respect to winding 80. During such movement, clutch GI first engages pinion 55 and then becomes disengaged from locking member 58. This is a safety measure preventing rotation of shaft 42 until such time as it is cou- Pledtoshaft3l..

To provide for operation in the event of failure of the electric power supply, a manual operating device 82 is provided for clutch member BI, and comprises a lever 82 pivoted at 84 in housing 53, and normally held by compression spring 65 in a position urging clutch member 8| to the right.

The upper end of lever 621s provided with a fork 56 engaging between spaced flanges 81, 81. on

clutch member 8|. Lever 82 extends exteriorly' of housing 53 through a slot 68 therein. When the lever is swung tothe right, it moves member 8| to engage pinion 55 and then disengage locktherewith and adapted to engage a spur gear II and is preferably connected in either series or parallel circuit arrangement with motor 30. Upon energization of motor and winding 8|, driven disk 'I'! is snapped into magnetic and frictional coaction with driving disk-15 and'the motor thereupon drives an output shaft 82 mounted inbearings 83, 84 in an extension 85 of the end plate-88 of motor 30. Upon deenergization of motor 30,- spring 18 snaps driven disk 11. into substantially instantaneous engagement with brake surface 80, thus'quickly stopping motion ions 88 rotatably mounted on a worm wheel 90.

As'shown in Fig. 7, three planetary pinions 88 are provided. The shafts 9| of planetary pinions 88 are mounted at their opposite ends in a plate 92. Worm gear 90 is rotatablymounted on shaft 82 through bearings 93. Pinions 88 engage an internal ring gear 94 mountedin bearings 95, and connected to output shaft 3| mounted in bearings 98 in an end plate 91. A plate 98 is movably mounted one. bearing housing'I00 formed in the end wall I0I.of unit 45. This plate is provided with an abutment I02 disposed between two switches I03 and I04 each of which is included in the motor energizing circuit through conductors 59 and 69, respectively. Springs I05 and I08 normally maintain abutment I02 substantially midway between the switches 94 through pinions 88.

as seen in Fig. 6.

Mounted in bearings I01, I01 on plate 98 is a worm I08 engaging worm wheel 92. Shaft IIO of worm wheel I08 is provided with a squared end III adapted to be engaged by crank handle 32 to provide for manual actuation. An inwardly projecting shoulder H2 is provided in unit 40,

and on the inner surface of this shoulder is a. brake surface II3. Brake surface H3 is adapted to be engaged bya plurality of weights I I4 pivotally mounted on ringgear 94 and normally urged radially inwardly by springs I I5.

The operation of unit 40 is as follows. Normally motor 30 drives shaft 82 through clutch 35. This rotates pinion 81 which in turn drives ring'gear Torque is thus applied to shaft 3|. When the torque exceeds a preset limit,'worm gear will tend to move, thus .mov-

ing worm I08 and plate 98 clockwise or counterclockwise. Movement of plate 98 will cause abutment I02 to engage one or the other of. the Y force will urge weights II4 outwardly into en-' gagement with braking surface Ill, thus holding the speed of shaft 3| to a predetermined value.

In manual operation, actuation of crank 32 will cause worm I08 to drive worm wheel 00. Motor 30 and clutch 35 being deenergized, brake surface 00 will hold pdisk l1, shaft 02 and thus pinion 81 against rotation. Accordin ly, pinions 08 will drive ring gear 04 and thus shaft II. An electric control circuit for the mechanism of the invention is schematically shown in Fig. 8.

Control is effected by means of push buttons I I6, H1, H8, and H9, which respectively control the energization of relays I2I I22, I23 and I24. Push buttons H5 and Ill are up and down push buttons, and push buttons IIO and us are the aft" and "forward buttons, respectively. .Motor 30 is reversible, being provided with two series field windings I25 and I26 and an armature II9. Winding I25 is effective to cause rotation of motor in a direction to effect a winding ofcable 22 on drum I0, while field I25 effects rotation of motor 30 in a direction to eflfect paying off ofcable 22 from drum l0. When up push button H6 is pressed, it energizes relay I2l. This relay I2I thereupon closes its contact arm I21 to energize motor 30 from one terminal I28 of a source of electric current through field I25. Electromagnetic clutch is connected in series with motor 30 and is thus likewise energized to effect driving connection between motor 30 and unit 40. Coil 60 is not energized and therefore coupling device 45'holds traverse drum I5 stationary. Motor 30 rotates hoist drum I0 to draw in cable 22 and thus raise hook 25 and the load, trolley 20 being held stationary.

In a similar manner, push button I I! will energize relay I22 to close its contact arm I30 effecting energization of motor 30 through opposite field winding I26. Coil 60 not being energized, drum I5 and trolley 20 are held stationary. Motor 30 rotates drum I0 in a direction to pay out cable 22, lowering hook 25 and the load.

When it is desired to cause aft motion of the trolley.20, button H0 is depressed thus energizing relay I23. This relay will close its contact arm I3! to energize motor 30 through field winding I26. At the same time, .energization of coil 60 of clutch device 45 is effected as this coil is connected in series with contact I3I. Accord ingly, traversing drum I5 will be coupled to hoisting drum l0, and both will operate as a unit to traverse trolley 20, to the right, or "aft" while maintaining hook 25 stationary as respects vertical movement.

Push button H9 will As shown in perspective in Fig. 9, push buttons H0 through III are all'mounted in a remote control unit I20, which may be held in the hand oi. the operator. with a multi-wire cable I34 connected to a pronged plug I35. The control circuit for relays I 2I through I24 is run in a cable I30 along the side of the aircraft,-and suitable receptacles I31 are connected into the cable at predetermined intervals. Several such cables and control units .I20 are provided thereby, so the operator may control the operation of'the hoisting and traversing mechanism from any one of 'a number of predetermined positions. The several relays are preferably mounted in a control box at a suitable location. g j

While specific embodiments of theinvention have been shown and described to illustrate the application of the principles thereof, it will be energize relay I24 to close its contact arm I32 and energize motor 30 through obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention may be otherwise embodied, without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A traversing hoist comprising, in combination, a hoisting drum; a traversing drum; 9. traversing device; a pulley on said traversing device; a hoisting hook; a hoisting cable secured to said. hoisting drum and said traversing device, said hoisting cable passing over said pulley and through said hoisting hook; a traversing cable passing around said traversing drum and secured at both ends to said traversing device; a power drive means in operative association with said hoisting drum; a torque limiting device interposed between said power drive means and said hoisting drum; means efiective upon energization of said power drive means to connect the same to an element of said device; and selectively operable means eifective to mechanically interconnect said drums for operation as a unit to traverse said device.

2. A traversing hoist comprising, in combination, a hoisting drum; a traversing drum; a traversing device; a pulley on said traversing device; a hoisting book; a hoisting cable secured-to said hoisting drum and said traversing device, said hoisting cable passing over said pulley and through said hoisting hook; a traversing cable passing around said traversing drum and secured at both ends to said traversing device; a power drive means in operative association with said hoisting drum; a torque .device interposed between said power drive means and said hoisting drum; means effective upon energization vice normally restraining motion of said traversing drum, saidcoupling device being actuable to mechanically couple said drums for operation as aunit to traverse said device.

3. A traversing hoist comprising, in combination, a hoisting drum; a traversing drum; a traversing device; a pulley on said traversing device; a hoisting hook; a hoisting cable secured to said hoisting drum and said traversing device, said hoisting cable passing over said pulley a d through said hoisting hook; a traversing cabl passing around said traversing drum and secure at both ends to said traversing device; a power drive means in operative association with said hoisting drum; a torque limiting device interposed between said power drive means and said hoisting drum; means effective upon energization of said power drive means to connect the same to an element of said device; a coupling device Control unit I2. is provided normally restraining motion of said traversing drum, said coupling device being actuable to me chanically couple said drums for operation as a unit to traverse said device; electromagnetic means for actuating said coupling device; and

manual means for independently actuating said secured to said other shaft; locking means formed on said housing adjacent said one pinion, said coupling sleeve being selectively engageable with the other of said pinions or with said locking means; magnetic means for moving said coupling sleeve from a position normally engaging said locking means to a position coupling said pinions to each other; and manually operable means for independently moving said coupling sleeve from a position normally engaging 'said locking means to a position coupling said pinions to each other.

5. A traversing hoist comprising", in combination, a hoisting drum; a traversing drum; a power drive means; a housing; a pair of aligned shafts having juxtaposed ends extending into said housing; gearing connecting one shaft'to said hoisting drum and the other shaft to said traversing drum; mechanism, including a clutch, coupling said one shaft to said power drive means; said clutch being 4 effective upon energization of said power drive means to connect the same to said one shaft; a

pinion secured to the end of each shaft; an internally splined coupling sleeve of magnetic ma-. terial slidably mounted on and continuously en gaging the one of said pinions secured to. said other shaft; locking means formed on said housing adjacent said one pinion, said locking means comprising an externally splined sleeve formed integrallywith said housing; said coupling sleeve being selectively engageable with'the other of said pinions or with said locking means; and magnetic means for moving said coupling sleeve from a position normally engaging said locking means to aposition coupling said pinions to each other.

6. A traversing hoist comprising, in co mbination, a hoisting drum; a traversing drum a power drive means; a'housing; a pair of align ed shafts having juxtaposed ends extending into said housing; gearing connecting one shaft to said hoisting drum and the other shaft to said traversing drum; mechanism, including a clutch, coupling said oneshaft to said power drive means; said clutch being eifective upon energization of said power drive means to connect the same to one of said shafts; a pinion secured to the end of each shaft; locking means operatively associated with the one of said pinions secured to said other shaft, said locking means comprising an internal ring gear formed integrally with said housing, a coupling membercomprising an internally splined sleeve mounted on and continuously engaging said one pinion and a spur gear integral with said sleeve; said coupling member being selectively movable between a position in which said sleeve engages the other of said pinions and a position in which said spur gear engages said internal ring s ge ar';\and magnetic means for moving said coupling memberfrom a positioifnormaliy engaging said locking means to a position coupling said pinions tbeach other.

"7. A traversing hoist comprising, in combination, a hoisting drum; a traversing drum; power said one pinion, said locking means comprising an externally splined sleeve formed integrally. with said housing; said coupling sleeve being selectively engageable with the other of said pinions or with said locking means; magnetic means for moving said coupling sleeve from aposition normally engaging said locking means to a position coupling said pinions to each other; and manually operable means for independently moving said coupling sleeve from a position normally engaging said locking means to a position coupling said pinions to each other.

8. A traversing hoist comprising. in combination, a hoisting drum; a traversing drum; DOWer drive means in operative association with said hoisting drum; a housing a pair of aligned shafts having juxtaposed ends extending into said housing; mechanism coupling said shafts to said hoisting drum and said traversing drum, respectively; means effective upon energization of said power drive means to connect the same to one of said shafts; a pinion secured to the end of each shaft; locking .means' formed on said housing adjacent said one pinion, said locking mean comprising an internal ring gear formed integrally with said housing, a coupling member comprising an internally splined sleeve mounted on and continuously engaging one of said pinions and a spur gear integral with said sleeve; said coupling member being selectively movable between a position in which said sleeve engage the other of said pinions and a position in which said spur gear engages said internal ring gear; magnetic means for moving said coupling member from a position normally engaging said locking means to a position coupling said pinions .to each other; and manually operable means for independently moving said coupling member from a position normally engaging said locking means to a position coupling said pinions to each other.

91A traversing hoist comprising, in combination, a hoisting drum; a traversing drum; power drive means in operative association with said hoisting drum; a housing; a pair of aligned shafts having juxtaposed ends extending into said housing; mechanism coupling said shafts to said hoisting drum and said traversing drum, respectivelyy means effective upon energization of said power drive means to connect the same to one of said shafts; a pinion secured to the end of each shaft; an internally splined coupling sleeve of magnetic material slidably mounted on v and continuously engaging one of said pinions; locking means formed on said housing adjacent said one pinion, said locking means comprising an externally splined sleeve formed integrally with said housin comprising an internal said coupling sleeve being selectively engageable with the other of said pinions or with said locking means; magnetic means,

for moving said coupling sleeve from a'position normally engaging said locking means to a position coupling said pinions to each other; and manually operable means for inde 'ndently moving said coupling sleeve from a postion-normally engaging said locking means to a position cou-- pling said pinions to each other; said coupling sleeve beingso related to said other pinion and said ocking means that, upon movement from its 1 3 king position, it will engage saidother-pinion before disengaging said locking means.

10. A traversing hoist comprising, in combination, a hoisting drum; a traversing drum; power drive means in operative association with said hoisting drum; a housing; a pair of aligned shafts having juxtaposed ends extending into said houshoisting drum and said traversing drum, respectively; means effective upon energization of said power drive means to connect the same to one of said shafts; a pinion secured to the end of each shaft; locking means formed on said housing adjacent said one pinion, said locking means grally with said housing, a coupling member comprising an internally splined sleeve mounted on and continuously engaging one of said pinions and a spur gear integral with said sleeve; said coupling member being selectively) movable between 9. position in which said sleeve engages the other of said pinions and a position in which said spur gear engages said internal ring gear; magnetic means for moving said coupling member from a position normally engaging said locking means to a position coupling aid pinions to each other; and manually operable mean for independently moving said coupling member mechanism coupling said shafts to said.

ring gear formed intefrom a position normally engaging said locking v means to a position coupling said pinions to each other; said coupling member being so related to said other pinion and said locking means that,

' upon movement from its locking osition, it will engage said otherpinion said locking means. I

11. A traversing hoist comprising, in combination, a hoisting drum; a traversing drum; a trolley; a pulley on said trolley; a hoisting hook; a

hoisting cable securedto said hoisting drum and before disengaging said said trolley and engaging said pulley and said hook; a traversing cable passing around said traversing drum and secured at both ends to said trolley; a coupling device effective to couple said drums for operation as a unit to trave se said trolley while maintaining said hoisting hook in a predetermined position; electromagnetic means operative, when energized, to actuate; said coupling device to couple said drums; an electric motor; an electromagnetic clutch and brake'effective, upon energization of said motor to conmeans opcratively associated with said gearin and'effective to deenergize said motor when the torque on said hoisting drum exceeds a preset value.

13. A traversing hoist comprising, in combination, a hoisting drum; a traversing drum; selectively operable means effective to mechanically interconnect said drums for operation as a unit; I

an electric motor; planetary gearing connected to said hoisting drum; an electromagnetic clutch effective upon energization of said electric motor to connect the same to an element of said gearing; 'a' speed governor connected to said gearing and effective to limit the angular velocity of said drums to a preset value; torque limiting means operatively associated with said gearing and ef-- fective to deenergize said motor when the torque on said hoisting drum exceeds a preset value; and manual driving means connected to another element of said gearing.

14., A traversing hoist comprising, in combination, a hoisting'drum; a traversing drum; selectively operable means effective to interconnect said drums for operation as a unit; an electric motor; a housing; a shaft rotatably mounted in said housing; an electromagnetic clutch and brake effective, upon energization of said motor to connect said motor to said shaft, and, upon deenergization of said motor, to substantially instantaneously arrest motion of said shaft; a driving pinion on the end of said shaft; a pair of switches mounted in spaced relation in said housing and each'interposed in the, energizing circuit of said motor; a plate movably mounted in said housing ing means exceedsa preset value, to cause said nect said motor to said hoisting drum, and, upon deenergization of said motor, to substantially instantaneously arrest motion of said hoisting drum; a first circuit means operable to energize said motor during a hoisting operation; and a second circuit means operable to energize both said motor and said electrpmagnetic means to traverse said trolley.

12. A traversing hoist comprising, in combination, a hoisting drum; a traversing drum; selectively operable means effective to mechanically interconnect said drums for operation as a unit; an electric motor; planetary gearing connected abutment toengage one of said switches to open the energizing circuit of said motor.

. 15. A traversing hoist comprising, in combination, a hoisting drum; a traversing drum; selectively operable means effective to .interconnect said drums for operation as a unit; an electric motor; a housing; a shaft rotatably mounted in said housing; an electromagnetic clutch and brake effective, upon energization of said motor to connect said motor to said shaft, and, upon deen ergization ofsaid motor, to substantially instantaneously arrest motion of said shaft; a driving pinion on the end of said shaft; a pair of switches mounted in spaced relation in said housing and each interposed in the energizing circuit of said motor; a plate movably mounted in said housing concentric with said shaft and having an abutment disposed between said switches; a worm mounted on said plate; a worm wheel rotatable on said shaft and engaging said worm; an internal ring gear rotatably mounted in said housing; driving means connecting said ring gear to said hoisting drum; a plurality of planetary pinions .moving, when the torque onsaid driving means exceeds a preset value, to'cause said abutment to engage one of said switches to open the energizing circuit of said motor; a brake surface on said housing-adjacent said ring gear; and aplurality of brake shoes pivotally connected to said ring gear and efiective to engage said brake surface when the speed of saidring gear exceeds a preset value.

16. A selective driving and torque limiting device comprising an electric motor; a housing; a drive shaft rotatably mounted in said housing;

an electromagnetic clutch and 'brake eifective,

upon energization of said motor to connect said' motor tosaid drive shaft, and, upondeenergiz'a: tion of said motor, to substantially instantaneously arrest motion of said drive shaft; a driving pinion on the end 'of said drive shaft; a pair of switches mounted in spaced relation in said housing and each interposed in the energizing circuit of said motor; a plate movably mounted in said housing concentric with said drive shaft and having an abutment disposed between said switches; a worm mounted on said plate; manual driving means connected to said worm; a worm wheel rotatable on said drive shaft and engaging said worm; an internal ring gear rotatably mounted in said housing; driving means connected to said ring gear and a plurality of planetary pinions mounted on said worm gear and meshing with said driving-pinion and said ring gear; said plate moving, when the torque on said driving means exceeds a preset value, to cause said abutment to engage'one of said switches to open the energizmg circuit of said motor. 

